U.S. airlines including Alaska, American and JetBlue have recently announced they will raise their checked baggage fees, as the aviation sector struggles with rising fuel and labor costs.
American Airlines
American Airlines announced the change to its baggage policy on Tuesday, saying that it had not increased its fees for checked bags since 2018. According to the new policy, checking in a bag will now cost travelers on American Airlines domestic flights $40 for the first bag and $45 for a second bag—up from $30 and $40 respectively. The fee for the first checked bag can be a bit cheaper, at $35, if purchased online instead of at the airport.
The airline is also increasing its checked baggage fees for flights to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and Guyana. Checking in one bag will cost flyers $35 (up from $30), while a second will be priced at $45 (up from $40).
Any bookings made from Tuesday onward will be affected by the changes. While it’s a significant increase, American Airlines said that it has lowered prices on oversized and heavy luggage, writing in a press release that this is its “lowest fee ever.”
American Airlines jets at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on February 10, 2024, in Arlington, Virginia. American Airlines is among three companies that have increased their checked baggage fees this year.
J. David Ake/Getty Images
In a statement to Newsweek, American Airlines wrote that the company “routinely evaluates our ancillary offerings as part of the normal course of business.”
“Due to inflation, fuel costs and increased operating costs, the new fees for first and second checked bags on all American Airlines routes within the U.S., including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, will be $35 for first checked bags purchased online, $40 for first checked bags purchased at the airport and $45 for second checked bags purchased online or at the airport. These new fees apply to all bookings made on or after February 20.”
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue Airways, a low-cost airline headquartered in New York City, has also increased checked baggage fees recently for customers checking in their bags less than 24 hours before the flight. According to the company’s website, travelers flying within the U.S., Latin American and the Caribbean will have to pay $45 to check one bag and $60 for a second bag if they’re doing so less than 24 hours before departure.
Before the changes, which were first reported by The Points Guy on Tuesday, JetBlue was charging $35 for the first bag and $60 for the second bag for customers checking in less than 24 hours before departure.
In a statement to Newsweek, JetBlue said: “The cost of doing business has gone up significantly due to increased wages, higher fuel costs, and other inflationary pressure, and we remain unprofitable since COVID. While we don’t like increasing fees, it’s one step we are taking to get our company back to profitability and cover the increased costs of transporting bags.
“JetBlue continues to believe customers shouldn’t have to choose between a low fare and a great experience. By adjusting fees for added services that only certain customers use, we can keep base fares low and ensure customer favorites, like seatback TVs and high-speed Wi-Fi, remain free for everyone.
“One checked bag is always free for JetBlue Plus cardmembers, and two checked bags are provided free of charge for our Mosaic customers. For other customers, our bag fees continue to incentivize them to plan ahead.”
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines increased its checked baggage fees as of January 2, when the cost for a checked-in bag went up from $30 to $35 for one bag and from $40 to $45 for a second bag.
Newsweek contacted Alaska Airlines for comment by email early on Wednesday.
Other Offers
Only Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and JetBlue Airways have increased their fees this year. But others might follow, as companies tend to adapt their prices to competitors.
At the moment, Delta—one of American Airlines’ biggest competitors—offers a slightly better deal than the three companies above, with one checked bag costing customers $30 and a second one setting them back $40.
United Airlines has the same offer. Southwest offers two free checked bags, as long as they are under 50 pounds and 62 inches in size. Overweight checked bags cost customers from $100.
Update, 2/21/24 9:40 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include comments from American Airlines and JetBlue Airways.
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